Late Winter, the King's Throne Room...
(Ichor) Erik frowned slightly, glancing to Kain for a moment. "I assume you've quarters in the town?" he asked Ichor, still frowning, "If so, let my steward know where you are staying. You will be contacted."
The King's Chambers, Early Spring...
Erik stood by an open window, gazing out onto the courtyard. A recent rain had washed away the scorch-marks from the winter fire, and below his squire-guard had gathered, waiting for him to descend to meet with them. They were to be knighted today, but the ceremony was being delayed. Word from Miring had reached the Castle, and Erik had lapsed into a near day-long silence at the news. He had known many of the men that had died in Miring. They had been former palace guardsmen, they had been veterans of the Eelspine campaign. He had trained with them, traveled with them, fought alongside them. Now, he was unsure if the emotion he felt was just grief or pure rage.
Kara had come to his chambers as soon as word of the massacre had reached her, sensing almost immediately the sort of mood her brother would be in. She said something in an attempt to soothe the King, but whatever it was had fallen on deaf ears. He replied anyways. "Is this how Trubaldsome repays those who take him in and protect him?" Erik growled through gritting teeth, "Is this how that beggard Aulon repays his liege? How the people of Miring repay those who worked to protect them from Preston?"
Kara opened her mouth to speak, but was quickly cut off as the King roared, slamming his fist into the stone wall "IS THIS HOW THEY REPAY THEIR RIGHTFUL KING?" The King shuddered, and stepped away from the window, hoping that the people gathered below had not heard him. Kara rushed forward to wordlessly embrace her brother and, for the first time since he had become King, was not pushed away.
For what seemed like an eternity Erik held on to his sister like a sailor would a ship in a storm, until finally a smothering silence had filled the lavish chamber. Pulling away from the Princess, Erik sighed and coughed into his fist. "We will...need to make provisions to safeguard the realm while I am away." He paused a moment, considering the situation, and then turned away from his sister. Straightening his crimson tunic, he began to walk towards the door. "Come, we've a ceremony to attend..."
Upgrade personal guard to Heavy Cavalry using Aulon yl Marchis' land for the manpower (Cost of 2 ducats, 1 manpower). Reclaim Aulon yl Marchis' land in the name of the Crown. Use 6 parcels of open land and 5.5 Ducats to raise a Scout/Tactician, Discipline, and Berserker infantry group known as "The King's Shield". Use Sheepstead village's land and market's land to raise an infantry regiment for 1 ducat.
19.5 Ducats Left